G/TBT/N/NZL/130  
22 November 2023  
(23-7887) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  NEW ZEALAND  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  
Level 10, Grant Thornton House  
215 Lambton Quay  
Private Bag 63002, Waterloo Quay  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
Ph: +64 4 916 2426  
Email reassessments@epa.govt.nz  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
New Zealand TBT Enquiry Point  
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment New Zealand  
Phone: +64 4 896 5711  
Email: wto@standards.co.nz  
Website: www.mbie.govt.nz   
3. Notified under Ar ticle 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other  [X]: 6.1.1 
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Paint 
products, including under HS heading 3208 and 3209  
Graphic materials, including under HS heading 9608 and 9609  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Cutting lead 
levels in paints: proposed amendments to group standards.; (40 page(s), i n English)  
6. Description of content:  The Environmental Protection Agency proposes to reduce lead 
levels permitted in paints by amending the following group standards: Surface Coating 
and Colourants; Aerosols; Corrosion Inhibitors; and Graphic Materials.  
The proposals include amendments to:  
1. Limit lead in paints covered by the Surface Coatings and Colourants Group 
Standards and Aerosols Group Standards to 90 ppm  
2. Add lead limits to the Corrosion Inhibitors Group Standards  
3. Require evidence of compliance with lead levels where relevant  G/TBT/N/NZL/130  
 
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  4. Update element migration limits in graphic materials  
5. Update references in the Surface Coatings and Colourants, the Aerosols, and the 
Graphic Materials Group Standards to the 2021 AS/NZA standard  
6. Amend group standards so all graphic materials marketed to children are only 
covered by the Graphic Materials Group Standard  
7. Remove the notification requirement from the Graphic Materials Group Standard.  
8. Products that do not meet the requirements of the amendments are to be 
disposed o f 6 months after commencement  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  The objective of these proposals is to protect human health and safety by 
reducing the maximum allowable levels of lead in paint and updati ng the migration 
(leaching) limits of relevant toxic elements in children's toys and graphic materials. The 
proposals are collectively aimed at ensuring New Zealand's requirements for paint and 
graphic materials are consistent with current international st andards and best practice. ; 
Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
All documents relating to this proposal are available here: 
https://www.epa.govt.nz/database -search/hsno -application -register/view/APP204708  
General information regarding the EPA's propos als is available here: 
https://www.epa.govt.nz/public -consultations/open -consultations/lead -in-paints  
9. Proposed date of adopt ion: Mid 2023  
Proposed date of entry into force:  6 months from adoption  
10. Final date for comments:  26 January 2024  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body: